John 3:29
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The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
NIGHT INTERVIEW OF NICODEMUS WITH JESUS. (John 3:1-21) Nicodemus--In this member of the Sanhedrim sincerity and timidity are seen struggling together.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, concerning the great mysteries of the gospel, in which he here privately instructs him (v. 1-21). II. John Baptist's discourse with his disciples concerning Christ, upon occasion of his coming into the neighbourhood where John was (Joh 3:22-36), in which he fairly and faithfully resigns all his honour and interest to him.
Open source ↗3:29 John the Baptist saw Jesus as the bridegroom and himself as the bridegroom’s friend. His response deflected glory from himself and elevated Jesus’ stature.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion.
Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
For your husband is your Maker— the LORD of Hosts is His name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.
Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
We write these things so that our joy may be complete.
I have come to my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends, and drink; drink freely, O beloved.